Archive for the ‘Gourmet’ Category

Balsamic vinegar is the 'wine' of Modena, Italy. It is rich, thick, expensive and marries up beautifully with food such as steak to produce an unusual finish that greatly enhances the look and flavor of the meat.
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The culinary traditions of the Bay area have been influenced by history dating back hundreds of years. It was 1607 when Captain John Smith first saw the Chesapeake Bay at what was to become Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement. From the writings in his journal it is clear that these early settlers quickly recognized that they had landed in a paradise of riches. Smith quipped in his journal that the fish were so plentiful that they would simply catch them "with our frying pans." The Bay was abundant with crabs, clams, oysters and fish; and the surrounding areas alive with wildlife.
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America is the number one beef-consuming nation in the world. For most Americans, beef is the best tasting meat available.
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It is fact that many of the plants found in our natural environment are used for some special purpose. Without some of these plants we remain tied down to supplements that are hardly sufficient to supply our needy bodies of the nutrients it needs. Such oil is made from olives, very simple. Olive Oil being a healthy alternative in cooking and in life is helpful information.
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Vegetarian sushi? Many people are perplexed by this idea. After all, most Westerners think that sushi means "raw fish" (confusing it with sashimi), so it's little surprise that vegetarian sushi seems like an anomaly.
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Scotland is justly celebrated for its cured salmon, mainstay of fancy starters everywhere, but maybe less people know about an equally high quality smoked fish product coming from the same area : the Arbroath smokie.
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Culinary schools give aspiring chefs their best shot at making it to the big time, especially those accredited by the American Culinary Federation. Just like any other profession, many of the better hospitality establishments base their hiring practices not only upon the length of education the applicant provides, but also where that education was obtained.
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There is a tendency to take the pleasure of eating well and turn it into something over-intellectualised. Anyone who enjoys good food will be more than familiar with this tendency, where a good meal becomes something akin to a work of art, as though eating well needed to be turned into something more worthy of attention. Liking good food is completely normal, and doesn't need to be turned into something more than what it is. A great meal is not a "culinary symphony" and nor is it a "gastronomic piece de resistance". It is a great meal, and that is worthy enough of celebration. Giving it the praise it deserves does not need to turn into a discussion on literature, music or art. Food is important enough to be discussed on its own merits.
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Food and drinks have been a world of its own that has provided us with several reasons to celebrate. They offer the perfect answer to pamper the taste buds and make every occasion truly memorable. There are a range of food trends that have been observed over the years and 2008 is no exception. The food trends have been broadly dictated by factors like the changing tastes of people around the world. The new and improved products that make a tempting offer for experimenting and adopting new lifestyle changes have also come to play a major role. The year 2008 is a year that is going to be dominated by health consciousness. The top 10 food trends that are going to rule the food world are:
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Better Libations is proud to present the Top 10 Healthy Drink Picks of 2008, chosen from our extensive collection of reviews for that year. By default, we already only review drinks that have some health value, and we ban anything with high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. But in order to make our list of the BEST whistle-whetters, you have to wow us on multiple levels – we look at the flavor, sugar content, originality, and corporate eco-friendliness, just to name a few. Buckle up, grab your favorite beverage and read on!
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